Abstract

Aim: The present study aimed to evaluate patients operated on for Chiari Malformation Type 1 (CM1) and contribute to the literature regarding potential complications.
Materials and Methods: CM1-operated patients from 2012 to 2022 were retrospectively evaluated in this single-center study.
Results: The mean age of the 14 patients, aged between 5 months and 59 years, was 36.39. The postoperative length of intensive care unit stay was 2.57 days, and the hospital length of stay until discharge was 10.93 days. The mean amount of cerebellar tonsil herniation in our patients was 13.36 mm. The female-to-male ratio was 1. Syringomyelia was detected in 78.6% of our patients. 13 of the 14 patients were discharged in good condition, and one died in the postoperative period.
Conclusion: The presence of syringomyelia besides tonsillar herniation in patients with CM1 has stood out as a valuable parameter in the decision to operate. Although headache is the most common symptom in symptomatic patients, the possibility of atypical symptoms should also be acknowledged. Patients operated on for CM1 should be closely monitored in the postoperative period for potential complications.

Key words: Chiari, herniation, hydrocephalus